South London Anti-Fascists: Thanks to the Many

This statement of gratitude is to the many who were on the streets on Saturday, those who in the past week who emailed us offering support, to those who came to our planning meetings. We thank the thinkers who thought deeply and practically about how to stop fascists, Â the activists who got arrested and brutalised by the police, to those who organised childcare and those who were there in spirit. We thank those who met up with individuals including from Lambeth SOS/Unison, South London Solidarity FederationÂ and Bloomsbury Fightback who without their help would have travelled alone. Also the Animal Rights activists who joined us while dressed as badgers. We thank all of you for your support, the British National Party because of all of your efforts were shown to be a national joke and didn’t even get close to South London.

London antifascists who have been instrumental in the effective resistance on Saturday have published a detailed report which can be read here.

Antifascist arrests

We are disgusted but once again not surprised by the actions of the police, one female antifascist was hospitalised with a broken leg, while 58 other antifascists were arrested because they refused to allow the fascists to march. The arrests with the prepared buses were clearly planned in advance of the protest. We will continue to show solidarity with the arrestees and we will work with Green & Black Cross to continue to provide legal and financial support. We urge all fellow antifascists who are able to donate to GBC, their help has been incredibly important and vital to organising quick and effective arrestee support.

We saw legal observers were punched and pushed out of the way so that they could not record police brutality. This was planned and prepared by the police and we must learn from this experience.

We note that Weyman Bennett from Unite Against Fascism did not cooperate with the police to divide the antifascist resistance, and also many UAF activists joined us in forming defensive lines against the fascists and the police, this solidarity was welcome.

In Woolwich, we thank activists from the Movement for Justice who kept an eye on the local Islamic Centre and spoke with young black people about the current situation. In Lewisham, various antifascists from the local Trade Union Council, Newham Monitoring Project, Â and other people from the local community came together to support Lewisham Islamic Centre. The Centre in response held a meal for all who attended on the day.

However, while we defeat the BNP, despite the valiant efforts of antifascists across the country, the English Defence League were able to hold a few unopposed “silent walks” on Saturday particularly in their home town of Luton. They have subsequently raised significant sums of money for their own organisation. We know that at least 13 mosques and Islamic centres have been attacked according to media reports, and many more Muslims have been attacked in the streets.

Our movement has many challenges ahead, we are too white and disconnected from the migrant communities and activists that are directly affected by Islamophobia, xenophobia and racism. Racism, sexism and fascism doesn’t just appear in fascist marches and pitch battles against the police. It happens in the workplace, in the national newspapers, during stop-and-searches, through local councils and the corridors of power in Westminster. Popular racism is endemic in British institutions and mainstream culture. In response to this, we as antifascists must develop a genuine diversity of tactics and a coherent strategy to pull racist ideologies and power structures up from its imperial roots in the British state. Our autonomous struggle is against police brutality, the murder of migrants labelled “asylum seekers”, the countless deaths in custody, the demonisation of Romanians and Bulgarians, and against the inability to leave your home because of the fear of being attacked for being different.

If you are interested in supporting this struggle, we will be holding a debriefing meeting on Monday 10th June from 6pm to 7:30pm in South London. Details will be revealed on our mailing list. Email us to get involved: southlondon-antifascists@aktivix.org

12 Comments

[…] By South London Anti-Fascists / @SouthLondonAF This statement of gratitude is to the many who were on the streets on Saturday, those who in the past week who emailed us offering support, to those w… […]

Stafford Scott

6 yearss ago

I went on the demo at Whitehall! If THAT was a victory I’d hate to see what defeat looked like!

I don’t know how many of you guts were around in the 70’s. I was and I can confidently say that the anti fascist movement has not moved forward since then! Instead of patting yourselves on the back for allowing 58 comrades to be arrested, whilst the BNP were left unscathed you should be asking yourself why there aren’t more Black and Brown people involved in the anti fascist movement? I know that your answer will probably be along the usual patronising and paternalistic lines that we have heard over and over and over. Truth is you cannot muster large numbers of Black and Brown people to your ranks as your focus is on fascism whilst we are prioritising the battle against institutionalised racism and imperialism! You’re not there on a day to day basis, although racism is our every day reality! I came, with my 17 year old son, to SMASH the bastards! Not to shout and sing little ditties at them.

So you think you did well on Saturday? Stop kidding yourselves! There was probably less than a hundred BNP goons and they were able to laugh at you! Your protest and defence of buildings that were not under attack was lamentable!

You should’ve let them walk to the cenotaph and ambushed them on route, at least that would’ve been worth getting arrested for! And, why do so many anti fascist so pre occupied with, to the point where they even boast about the number of times they’ve been arrested as though this is your criteria for bravery! How many nazi scumbags did you get off of the streets? Thats what counts! They’ll ALL be back next bloody time lol so what’s the point?

I will not waste my time attending these demos in future, but I’m sure that wont concern you guys! keep on slapping yourselves on the backs, and getting your comrades arrested for obstructing a foot way, I am sure this will have the BNP, EDL & UKIP running scared!

Imagine there was just 100 BNP were in attendance,, this was an opportunity to finish off the BNP in London for good! You blew it, but lets not let such matters get in the way of a good story eh. You guys keep on fiddling and patting yourselves on the back whilst fascism, racism and imperialism goes marching onwards.

STAFFORD SCOTT – BWF & Tottenham Defence Campaigns

Justin

6 yearss ago

Stafford I don’t think you have read the statement properly.

South London Anti-Fascists have not called it a “victory”, only stated that the BNP were prevented from marching to the Cenotaph. They have also criticised the lack of visible migrants amongst them. I am not sure they did not “allow” people to get arrested, it appeared to me that they were overpowered by the police and not physically supported by more antifascists. They are also involved in building support for the arrestees. This was not a self-congratulatory statement, your response to it, is somewhat strange.

If anyone is being patronising and paternalistic, perhaps you should look in the mirror.

Stafford

6 yearss ago

I look in the mirror often. When I do I see a strong Black man. A proud Black man who has fought racists and fascists his entire life! I spent a couple of years in prison as a result. I am not going to try and justify myself to you Bro but I’ve more than paid my dues and am entitled to my opinion.

So, I gave my opinion, & in some sense you have supported it as you say “I am not sure they did not (sic) allow people to get arrested. It appeared to me that they were overpowered by the police and NOT physically supported by more antifascists. If anti fascists stand around and watch their comrades getting battered and arrested then I’d say that WAS ‘allowing’ them to be arrested.

I have re-read the statement and still find it to be as I previously stated!

I am glad to hear that you’re talking about the lack of ‘visible migrants’ within your movement. I however would like to point out that I am NOT a ‘visible migrant’ that’s an almost a demeaning term as far as I’m concerned. It sounds like a BNP euphemism! I am born in this fucking country, that term doesn’t appear to recognise that this is possible! it’s dickhead terminology, no wonder your movement is unable to attract more POC ( people of colour) to its ranks!

That use of that one term tells me all that I need to know about you and your movement my friend….GOODBYE!

Stafford

6 yearss ago

@ Justin I look in the mirror often. When I do I see a strong Black man. A proud Black man who has fought racists and fascists his entire life! I spent a couple of years in prison as a result. I am not going to try and justify myself to you Bro but I’ve more than paid my dues and am entitled to my opinion.

So, I gave my opinion, & in some sense you have supported it as you say “I am not sure they did not (sic) allow people to get arrested. It appeared to me that they were overpowered by the police and NOT physically supported by more antifascists. If anti fascists stand around and watch their comrades getting battered and arrested then I’d stay that WAS ‘allowing’ them to be arrested.

I have re-read the statement and still find it to be as I previously stated!

I am glad to hear that you’re talking about the lack of ‘visible migrants’ within your movement. I however would like to point out that I am NOT a ‘visible migrant’ that’s an almost a demeaning term as far as I’m concerned. It sounds like a BNP euphemism! I am born in this fucking country, that term doesn’t appear to recognise that this is possible! it’s dickhead terminology, no wonder your movement is unable to attract more POC ( people of colour) to its ranks!

That use of that one term tells me all that I need to know about you and your movement my friend….GOODBYE!

Justin

6 yearss ago

From Stafford Scott:

I look in the mirror often. When I do I see a strong Black man. A proud Black man who has fought racists and fascists his entire life! I spent a couple of years in prison as a result. I am not going to try and justify myself to you Bro but Iâ€™ve more than paid my dues and am entitled to my opinion.

So, I gave my opinion, & in some sense you have supported it as you say â€œI am not sure they did not (sic) allow people to get arrested. It appeared to me that they were overpowered by the police and NOT physically supported by more antifascists. If anti fascists stand around and watch their comrades getting battered and arrested then Iâ€™d say that WAS â€˜allowingâ€™ them to be arrested.

I have re-read the statement and still find it to be as I previously stated!

I am glad to hear that youâ€™re talking about the lack of â€˜visible migrantsâ€™ within your movement. I however would like to point out that I am NOT a â€˜visible migrantâ€™ thatâ€™s an almost a demeaning term as far as Iâ€™m concerned. It sounds like a BNP euphemism! I am born in this fucking country, that term doesnâ€™t appear to recognise that this is possible! itâ€™s dickhead terminology, no wonder your movement is unable to attract more POC ( people of colour) to its ranks!

That use of that one term tells me all that I need to know about you and your movement my friendâ€¦.GOODBYE!

anon 4

6 yearss ago

@ Stafford Scott, whilst you show some valid insights, would it not be best to share knowledge and skills? Things have changed, there is a new generation of anti-fascist, and they need our support, this is not the AFA/NMP etc of old. I also think you are bundling the UAF with SLAF, there where 2 groups protesting one in a pen and one that was mobile, guess who was in the pen?

I actually think people do not have all the skills needed for anti-fa work and this needs to be adressed asap.

Regards,
Tek No More

Carl

6 yearss ago

I have a friend who attended. Her opinion of you could not be lower. She reports that she saw unprovoked attacks on police and police horses, needless violence and criminal damage. Seams like you where worse behaved then the EDL. I hope you don;t support this and that this is a infiltration of a few into what should be a force of good. But as your learned friend makes clear- the far left is not better than the far right.

[…] all bad. In London people are working hard to resist various forms of racism and Islamophobia. TheÂ South London Anti-Fascists have helped organise counter-demonstrations against the EDL and BNP in recent weeks and are doing […]